The older I get, the more frequently the phrase “Good Ole Days” comes to my mind. Looking back at life experiences and fond memories of the past is nice. Especially reminiscing those special moments with those whom I have shared memories. However, I need to be careful because I can be too comfortable with what I know. I will easily slip into thoughts of living in the past and then not want to accept the current changes God wants to do in my life. This earth is not my home. God has warned us not to worship the creation more than Him. (Romans 1:22-25) Besides why would we want to cling to this dying world? (1 John 2:15-17) God has a “set time” for each of us on this earth (Job 14:5, Ecclesiastes 3:2) and our purpose for being here is to glorify Him, not live for ourselves. (Revelation 4:11)

Time is a gift from God, and we need to be careful not to make time an idol. God gives us time to use wisely. Ephesians 5:15-17 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Time will end, but we were created for eternity. God has no end. He is from everlasting! (Psalm 90:2)

Lately I’ve heard this phrase, “The New Normal”. I tend to wonder, what is normal anyway? I think the definition of normal varies with each of us. My normal may be different than your normal. We may say that we would like to have “The Good Ole Days” back. Does that mean we want our normal back? Thinking this way could be a problem. Are we longing for something that God has ended? Are we using the current time God has given us to dwell on times that are no more? This is not how God wants us to live. (Ecclesiastes 7:10, Isaiah 43:18-19) Jesus warns of this in Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” When we have answered the call of Christ to follow Him, Jesus does not want us to look back. The Kingdom of God is not an earthly kingdom.

Bible prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes! (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5) There is so much turmoil happening in the world today. Yet it seems like folks are trying to mosey through life wanting their normal back and turning a blind eye to the dangers lurking about. I believe God is trying to get our attention. I’m so thankful for the patience of God.

2 Peter 3:8-13 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

We are told in Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” God says this world is not our home. (John 15:19, John 16:33, Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 13:14)

So, I ask you today. Where are your affections? Is the gravity of this sinful world pulling at you? This world is perishing. (Isaiah 24) Why would you want what “you know” back? Why would you want normal back? Normal is sin. Normal is disease. Normal is sorrow. Normal is death!

When we look at normal with a Biblical worldview, normal doesn’t have the same appeal does it? This world can keep it’s normal, I want Jesus!

Revelation 21:4-7 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

Contentment is in Christ. I encourage you today. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 Don’t look back, look up!

Are you ready for the end? How bad do you think things will get before Jesus returns?

In Matthew 24:3-14, the disciples asked Jesus when the world would end. Jesus answered first thing, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He went on to warn of coming famines, wars, pestilences, and earthquakes. Then He said that these are the beginning of sorrows. The beginning? That’s not easy to hear. Nor was what He said after that. Jesus went on to say that they would be hated and killed for His name sake.

Jesus spoke of betrayals and false prophets who will deceive many people. He said that wickedness would increase and love would decrease. But then He said that those who endure until the end, shall be saved. The Gospel must be preached throughout all of the world and then the end will come.

In the Gospel of Mark 13:32-33, Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Jesus is speaking about the end of the world in this passage too. Again we see the phrase “take heed”. Heed means to beware, Jesus is giving a warning.

The timing is not as important as the preparedness. Christ will return, that’s not the question. The question is, will the Church be ready? Jesus said, “Watch and Pray”. 

To watch means to look, pay attention, be sober, vigilant, and attentive. We are told to awake and walk circumspectly in diligence. To redeem the time because the days are evil. Be wise and aware of God’s will. (Ephesians 5:14-21)

In Matthew 24:42-51, Jesus said His return would be as a thief, unexpected. The Apostle Paul told the Church that we should know perfectly, the day of the Lord will be as a thief and since we walk in the Light, that day will not overtake us. We know Jesus is coming, so we remain sober and watch. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10) In 1 Peter 4:7 we read, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”

Who is Jesus returning for?- His Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) As His Church, we watch together, by submitting to each other in accountability. (Ephesians 5:21) We do not forsake our meeting together, we read in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Jesus also instructed us to pray. Another passage we see Jesus giving instruction to watch and pray is in Mark 14:38, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus knows our flesh is weak, we need the Holy Spirit in order to endure and to resist temptations. This is why we pray, we need help! (1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 5:16 & 5:25, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 4:7-8)

Jesus is coming! It’s not a question of if, nor is it a question of when. The question is, are you ready?

Whether it be the end of the world or the end of your own life, are you ready? If you have not repented and placed your faith in Jesus Christ to save you from your sins and give you eternal life with Him, you are in danger of eternal punishment in a horrible place called hell. Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

I pray that you do not go there. More importantly Jesus does not want you to go to hell. He came to die on the cross and rise from the dead, so you would not have to go to hell. Jesus came to rescue souls from hell. If you do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I exhort you to follow this link and learn how to be saved. https://in-times-like-these.com/do-you-know-jesus/

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

Some folks may see this video and say, “this is weird”. Some folks may see this video and say, “this is boring”. Then there may also be folks that see this video and say, “this is bad singing”. All of those perceptions could be, until one looks deeper.

The man singing in this video is Curtis Hutson, (July 10, 1934 – March 5, 1995). He was a Fundamental Baptist Preacher on fire for Jesus and in this particular video, he is frail and and living in his final days of enduring prostate cancer.

If you take the time to watch this video, you might appreciate the lyrics which I have included below.

“I’m On Winning Side”

Verse 1: Once I drifted out in sin, had no hope nor joy within,
And my soul was burdened down with pride;
Then my Savior came along and He showed me I was wrong and
Now I know I’m on the winning side

Verse 2: From the straight and narrow way I was drifting every day,
Out upon the waters deep and wide;
But it all is over now, glory light is on my brow,
And my soul is on the winning side

Verse 3: I will never have a fear, for my Lord is ever near,
And in Him so often I confide;
He’s the keeper of my soul since I gave Him full control,
And He placed me on the winning side

Chorus-
I’m on the winning side,yes I’m on the winning side,
Out in sin no more will I abide,
I’ve enlisted in the fight or the cause of truth and right
Praise the Lord- I’m on the winning side

There are many different sides and paths of pursuit in this life. But there is only one side and only one path, which I want to pursue – God’s. This is because HE WINS.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

Matthew 7:14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Follow this link to know how to join the winning side: https://in-times-like-these.com/do-you-know-jesus/

1 John 2:15-17

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

“Bread and Circuses” is a phrase formed by an ancient writer of Rome named Decimus Lunius Luvenalis (Juvenal). He lived in the first and second century of Rome. His views and writings were stern. He wrote on the tyranny of the Roman Empire and how pagan practices spread through the society of their day. Food and fun were used by the nation’s leaders to distract and control the masses. By keeping the populous entertained and their bellies full, the people did not pay attention to what was happening in the government. Juvenal saw what was happening and wrote about it. A couple quotes from Juvenal read,

“Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt.”

“The people sell their souls and freedoms for full bellies and games.”

The solution to prevent public unrest were free grain and games. The citizens were caught up in entertainment such as banquets, theatre, games, sports, etc…

Ancient Rome transitioned from a republic to an empire; there were wars; national debt; high taxes; political corruption; scandals; pride; immorality; idolatry; gluttony; drunkenness; pleasure seeking. Do these practices resemble America today?

What happened to the Roman Empire?

What is the “Bread” in America today? – Social programs; welfare; entitlements; food stamps; handouts.

What are the “Circuses” we have in America today? – Amusements; movies; video games; music; sports.

These practices create idleness and laziness. In America we are seeing a repeat of what happened in ancient Rome. There is another aspect of Roman history that, as a Christian, we should keep in mind. Beginning with Nero until Rome fell, one of their main sources of entertainment was the persecution of Christians.

The word circus is the Latin word for circle. The Ancient Colosseum in Rome still stands and is a large tourist attraction today. It was built in the shape of a circle and seated 50,000 spectators. They used the colosseum for many sporting events. The Christians of that day had nothing to do with the colosseum games except when they were brought there to be persecuted and/or martyred for entertainment. This ancient circular colosseum has a bloody history.

The colosseum in Rome was so popular that they built another one. It is called Circus Maximus. This one seated 150,000 spectators but that wasn’t enough. They built onto it and added another 100,000 seats. After the reconstruction, Circus Maximus seated 250,000 people. This was before there were cranes and bulldozers. Think about that. All this effort to build structures for entertainment.

History tells us that spectator sports and other entertainments came out of pagan societies, specifically Rome and Greece. The Olympic games were a religious act. Interestingly, the origin of the word gymnasium means to exercise naked. The origin of the word athlete is athlon, meaning prize. The five-ring symbol used in the Olympics represents world unity.

As a Christian, what would our Lord have us do with this history? We see what is happening in America today. We are a divided nation. Like ancient Rome, it appears that we are imploding from within. America is ravaged with sin, humanistic reasoning, wickedness, and vain philosophies. The Church in Ancient Rome saw the implosion, resisted the decay, and were persecuted for their faith in Christ. The Christians in Rome minded the important things and remained faithful to God’s Word. We are the Church today. What will we do?

Psalm 9:17

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

Psalm 33:12

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

Psalm 101:3

“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”

Proverbs 14:34

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Luke 16:15_b

“…for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

Romans 1:22-25

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

1 Corinthians 10:14

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”

2 Corinthians 6:14-17

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

2 Timothy 3:1-4

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

1 Peter 2:9-12

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 4:16-18

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

1 John 5:21

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

Revelation 12:11

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Have you heard any good news lately? Doom and gloom is all I seem to hear about from the news media. The Bible says in 1 John 5:19-20 “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

Doom and gloom is normal news for this world because this world is dying in sin. (1 John 2:17) But as God’s children, we have something that the world needs—Good News! The word Gospel means “good news”. Jesus said in Mark 16:15 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Some think that the Gospel is just for lost people. Yes, the Gospel IS for lost people, but believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is just the beginning. In 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 we read,“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

We are made new IN Christ to become ambassadors FOR Christ. We’ve been commanded by our Lord to proclaim the Gospel to the world, (that means everybody). (Matthew 28:19-20)

The doom and gloom will end, Hallelujah! (Revelation 21:5) But the good news of Jesus Christ does not end, it continues into eternity! The greatness of the Gospel grows. Once a person has repented of their sin and placed their faith in Christ, the Gospel becomes even more! The more we seek God, the more we understand the Gospel and what really happened on that cross. The more we understand, the more we love Jesus. The more we love Jesus, the more driven we are to serve Him. (John 14:15) We serve Jesus not out of legalism, not out of some fear or dread, but simply out of joyful appreciation:”Look what Jesus did for me!”

We are officially in the Christmas season. Some even say, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Christmas is considered a “Christian” holiday, yet most of the world celebrates this holiday. Christians and nonChristians recognize and involve themselves in the celebrations.

A few years ago I did a research project on the origins of Christmas. The when, where, and why of how the holiday began. The Bible tells us of Jesus’s birth, but Christmas was not a holiday celebrated by the early Church. Let me just say that the research led to some eyeopening discoveries. There’s a lot of history about this holiday. I encourage you to do your own research.

One interesting discovery about Christmas is why we see it referred to as “Xmas”. I was taught that folks who say or write “Xmas”, do so because they don’t celebrate Jesus. Well, that could be the case now, but did you know that the original use of “Xmas” did not have the intention of removing Christ from Christmas? The word “Xmas” is actually an abbreviation of Christmas. The “X” is the first letter of the Greek word “Xristós”. The English translation of “Xristós” is “Christ”. Below is the definition of the word “Christ” in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

5547. Χριστός Xristós, khris-tos’; From 5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. :–Christ.

The “X” means Christ. Learning this history was a humbling experience for me. 

So what does the “mas” mean? I’ll let you research that one on your own. 

Many blessings to you and your loved ones this season as we celebrate Jesus! HE is worthy of celebrating everyday! 

Psalms 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

There is a decaying, a perishing of worldly vanities and possessions. World powers think they are progressing but in reality they are heading towards destruction. God, in His providence, sets up one power, and pulls down another, as He pleases. This world is full of wars and fightings, which come from men’s lusts. All changes and revolutions of states and kingdoms, and every event, are plainly and perfectly foreseen by God. No word of God shall fall to the ground; but what He has designed, what He has declared, shall infallibly come to pass. While the worshipers of the earth strive with each other, they prevail and are prevailed against, deceive and are deceived; but those who know and worship the True and Living God (Our Creator) will trust in Him, and He will enable them to stand their ground, bear their cross, and maintain in the battle.

Since the covid scare began, I’ve been seeing the quote “Faith Over Fear” a lot. It’s a great quote, but how do we attain it? Faith over fear.
The Bible says in Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” God’s Word is true! (John 17:17) When I’m reading and meditating on God’s Word and when I’m spending time in prayer, fear vanishes.

If faith comes from the Word of God, where does fear come from? The antithesis of spending time in the Word of God and prayer would be spending time doing what? Do you find yourself fearful? Are you worried? These kinds of thoughts and emotions are not from God. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”- 2 Timothy 1:7

I want to encourage you today. Turn off the news media and turn off social media. Close your apps and open your Bible. Spend time with Jesus.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”- John 14:27

August 18, 2021

Jeremiah 9:1 “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!”

Sometimes I think my eyes have water fountains inside them because they spew like a water fountain whenever my heart is moved. I cry so easily. Almost every Sunday Church service I leave with puffy eyes. The fountains will flow from sorrow, yet other times they will flow with gratitude and great joy. I do prefer the joyful fountains, but recently with all the devastation happening in the world, I’ve wept in great sorrow.

There is a well-known crier we read about in the Bible. His name is Jeremiah, he is known as the “weeping” prophet. Jeremiah wept over the condition of God’s people. God called Jeremiah to prophecy over Judah and the nations. (Jeremiah 1:4) To call out their sins and abominations. Jerusalem had turned away from God. They forsook the Lord and walked after vanities. (Jeremiah 2:5) The prophets who God had sent to warn and instruct were rejected and destroyed by His people. (Jeremiah 2:30) Jerusalem had forgotten their God. (Jeremiah 2:32) They had polluted the land with their whoredoms and wickedness. (Jeremiah 3:2) The Lord called for them to return unto Him. They did not. (Jeremiah 3:7)

God divorced Israel, (the northern kingdom) because they had backslidden and committed adultery with other gods. God caused them to be defeated and captured by the Assyrians. Judah, (the southern kingdom) played the harlot also. The Lord sent His prophets to bid God’s people to return. He gave them pastors to warn and guide them back. Still, they walked after the imaginations of their evil hearts. They perverted their ways and had forgotten the Lord their God. (Jeremiah 3:6-21)

God called for His children to repent and break up their fallow ground. (Jeremiah 4:3) The soil of their hearts was hardened. The weeds had grownup and overtaken the fruit. God was angered and His judgment was being laid out. Even in God’s warnings and judgment, they did not grieve. They refused God’s correction. (Jeremiah 5:3) Their pride had made them harder than a rock. God raised a nation up to go against His treacherous children. (Jeremiah 5:15,19) They were made to serve and live under the rule of another nation in which they did not even understand their language.

Judah was foolish. (Jeremiah 5:20) They were rebellious and did not fear God. (Jeremiah 5:23-24) They listened to and believed the false prophets. (Jeremiah 5:21) These prophets were covetous, lining their own pockets, promising peace, when there was no peace. (Jeremiah 6:13) But God’s prophets advised them to see and ask for the old paths. God had paved the way of rest for their souls, but they did not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:15) God continued using Jeremiah to warn them and to call His people back. Yet they were deceived and did not worship God according to the ways which God commanded. (Jeremiah 7:2-4, 8-11) God sent prophet after prophet, yet they hearkened not unto the Word of God. Instead, they hardened their necks and continued their abominations. (Jeremiah 7:25-30) The men who were esteemed to be wise, deceived the people. Continuing to claim peace and there was no peace. The people were so wicked that they no longer had any shame in their abominable acts. They did not blush. (Jeremiah 8:7-12) God’s anger was kindled more and more against them. Time ran out. (Jeremiah 8:19-21) Jeremiah wept. God’s people no longer knew God. They were from evil, to evil. They were utterly deceived and refused to know God. (Jeremiah 9:1-6) God’s judgment was imminent. (Jeremiah 9:10-11, 15-16)

Does any of what happened in Jeremiah’s day, sound familiar today?

• Vanities such as entertainment, sports, politics, etc… are worshipped and held in higher regard than God and His Church.
• The commandments and principles of God are ignored by most of the society.
• The Bible is not the standard for politicians and even churches have drifted from Biblical principles and commands.
• The state has been made our god and savior.
• The news media is believed and followed more than the Holy Bible.
• Science has become a god.
• People have opened their ears to false teachers who will help them feel good about who they are.
• God’s design for sex and marriage have been perverted.
• The family has turned into a comedy sitcom.
• Politicians and world leaders are turning into evil tyrants.
• Social divisions of race and human ideologies are dominating the culture.
• Public education has become an indoctrination tool for humanism.
• Greed and power dominate governments and businesses.
• People are selfish and self-centered. Never satisfied.
• People want privilege without duty.
• Protests and riots are becoming common because people feel they’re being oppressed.
• Crimes, violence, and murders are increasing exponentially.
• Depression and suicide are continuously increasing.
• Addictions to drugs, alcohol, food, etc.… are commonplace.
• Human life is treated as a commodity that is easily disposed through abortion and euthanasia.
• A person’s identity is determined by how they feel instead of biological facts.
• Folks wanting to erase history instead of learning from history.
• People blaming others for their circumstances rather than taking responsibility for their actions.
• Environmentalists trying to save the planet while ignoring the One who made the planet.
• A plague induces fear and panic, causing a polarization among people.
• Fires, earthquakes, and storms are destroying houses and lands.
• Truth has become a subjective concept which means nothing is trustworthy.
• Church buildings closed and not assembling, yet restaurants, grocery stores, and shopping centers are frequented.

Most people know more about all the subjects listed above than they know about the Word of God.

What is going on?! The answer is simple – there is no fear of God. (Psalm 36:1-4, Romans 3:10-18) Yet even with the simple answer, just as in Jeremiah’s day, most do not want to hear this answer.

We read here in Jeremiah that in the midst of God’s judgment being laid out. God instructs him to call for the mourning women.

Jeremiah 9:17-21

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come: And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters. For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out. Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of His mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation. For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.”

Who are these mourning women? In old eastern customs, they had what they called “professional mourners”. They were women paid to mourn at funerals. That may seem odd, but it was a cultural practice in that time. God seeing the lack of remorse among His people, told Jeremiah to call on the professionals. Those who would take this matter seriously. They were cunning and wise women. God told them to make haste! Listen and obey God’s Word! Hurry, time is short, teach your daughters to wail. Death and destruction is coming.

As a woman of God, that passage of scripture gets my attention. Does it you? Do you think God is trying to get our attention today? Jeremiah poured out his heart for the wayward people of God. The evil, the deception, the depravity and wickedness was more than he could bear. God’s people were in great danger. Are we in great danger today? God called Jeremiah and the wailing women to cry out. To pray for people to wake-up from their complacency and have great concern. The time called for intensity and desperation. Urgency. The comforts and securities had lulled them to sleep. They were in trouble, yet they did not know or even care.

We ladies, today, are in trouble. Our land, our churches, our schools, our homes, our communities, We are in trouble! What are we doing about it? Normal is no more. The time of ease is ending. Do you see what’s happening?

Death is everywhere. Wars, pestilence, murders, abortions, accidents, natural disasters, they continue in greater volumes and frequencies. (Matthew 24:4-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) We see death everywhere today. We even celebrate death as a holiday on Halloween. We use the symbol of death, the skull, as a fashion trend on clothing, purses, and bumper stickers. What is happening to us?! Death is real. Death is final. It is not a fashion trend!

God called the mourning women to wail over the spiritual death of His nation. Have we become so numb to the things of God that we don’t see His warnings being played out today? Do we not see that God is trying to get our attention? If we see what is happening, what are we doing about it?

• How much did you pray today?
• How much did you read the Bible today?
• How many people did you share the Gospel with today?
• Are you begging God for His mercy?
• Are you interceding on behalf of lost loved ones?
• Are you interceding on behalf of world leaders? 
• Are you praying for our Church leaders?
• Are you interceding on behalf of the Body of Christ?
• Are you interceding on behalf of missionaries and persecuted Christians around the world?
• Does God have your attention?

In Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 it reads, “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.”

Oh how we need to be careful not to get too comfortable with this world. Life is a vapor. (James 4:14) This world is perishing and souls are perishing with it. (1 John 2:15-17) Just as God sent prophets to warn His people in Jeremiah’s day, through His written Word He continues to warn us today. I also venture to say that His warnings are evident as we look at the world’s current condition. We have forgotten God. We are living in a world that is dying. Spiritual death and darkness are everywhere. Is God calling for wailing women today? Is God calling you to be a wailing woman? Crying out to Him in humble contrition, knowing that nothing will get better unless His Holy Hand moves? I urge the women of God to cry, to weep, and to wail! Desperate times call for desperate measures. Cry out to Him today for we know not what tomorrow will bring.

Scripture For Further Study

2 Chronicles 7:14-15, Ezra 10:1, Nehemiah 1:4-11, Isaiah 62:6-7, Jeremiah 29:7, Ezekiel 22:30, Daniel 9:16-19, Matthew 5:44, Acts 1:14, Acts 12:5, Romans 8:26-28, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 1:19, Colossians 1:9, Colossians 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Hebrews 4:14-16, James 5:16

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”

We often feel like we have control over our lives and to some degree, we do. God has given us freedom to make choices. However, ultimately, we are not in control nor can we control everything.

Where did you come from? Who is making your heart beat right now? Who is rotating the earth around the sun? If you believe in God, the Creator of ALL, you know the correct answer to those questions.

In this blog post, I’m actually posting another blogger’s words that I read from Twitter. His name is Chris Hohnholz, he is a Christian blogger and his website link is attached below. I so appreciated his take on what we are currently experiencing in America, that I thought I’d share. I hope you appreciate it as well.

“I never thought I would live to see the day that this once great nation would become a people under tyrannical rule. And even worse, that I would see a day when people not only welcomed such tyranny, but demanded it. Tyranny because we are afraid. Tyranny because we might become sick. Tyranny in the name of protecting us from ourselves, is tyranny still.

So much of this is because we have forgotten that to live is to be at risk. There is no risk-free life. Walking out of our doors every day demands that we take risks. To walk across the street, to drive down the road, to go to work, to go to the store, all of it incurs risk. One can be hit by a car, be involved in an accident, incur an on the job injury, or buy food that is contaminated. There is no time when there is not risk. And, since we live in a world where illness exists and will always exist, risk of getting sick is always present.

Life is risk. Yes, we take the personal responsibility to mitigate risks. But that is the thing, it is our personal responsibility. I have to be the one to make those choices. I have to look both ways, I have to watch where I’m driving, I have to make safe choices at work, I have to be careful about the products I buy, and I have to be careful to not go out if I am not feeling well. Life is risk, but we take responsibility to be as safe as we can so as not to negatively impact others. Yeah, but others won’t be responsible! Yes, this is correct. That also is risk.

In a free society, we accept that irresponsible people live and work alongside us. We know they may not make the best choices, that sometimes their actions negatively affect us and others. But, the risk is worth the freedom. Because that’s what freedom is, risk.
We live in a free society because we know that tyrannical rule never is truly concerned about what is best for us, but what most benefits our rulers. We have seen it time and again. It’s simply historical fact. So, yes, risk exists in a free society. It is a price we pay to be free from slaves to tyranny.

We have forgotten this. We are insulated by years of prosperity. We think even the slightest discomfort must mean the free society has failed us. We ignore decades of growth in our ethics and morals from the past and assume it all is a failure. The greatest, most free, and most prosperous nation in the world must be failing us because we are not all experiencing what we think we deserve. We have some of the greatest medical advances in history, but because someone gets ill, because others could possibly get ill, our nation has failed. Because illness can often lead tragically to death, our nation must have failed. And when a new virus appears, we suddenly believe that we must surrender all freedom because illness can lead to death. Something that has always happened historically, and can never been completely mitigated or eradicated, still, we must surrender all freedom to make things magically change. Because we no longer believe in risk. Because we no longer desire to be free.

I never thought I would see this day, and it utterly breaks my heart. Many will read this and declare that I am the problem, I don’t care, and I want people to die. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know what tyranny brings. I know it comes in a bright colored bow promising peace and rainbows. But what it brings is poverty, enslavement, misery, and death. So, I do care. I care about my family, my kids, my loved ones, my co-workers, and my friends. I care that their liberties are being taken from them so that tyrannical leaders may rule. I care that this is done because they are being told the risk is too great. I am concerned that one day, they will never be able to live freely because we all became too scared to take risks.”

https://www.slavetotheking.com/

Read Psalms 46

Environmentalists seem to worry about the future of the earth. We hear terms such as “Global Warming” and “Climate Change”. Scientists are trying to find ways to “Save the Planet”. The problem with their efforts is that a lot of scientists study the universe without looking to the one who made the universe. They refuse to acknowledge that the earth is the Lord’s. (Psalm 24:1)

We should be good stewards of this earth in which God has given us dominion, because He has instructed us to do so. (Genesis 1:27-28, Psalm 8:3-9) However, when we look at the universe through the eyes of Scripture, we can see that God is in control and this earth is not going to last forever. God is going to make all things new! (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 22:1) Knowing God reigns over His creation brings comfort. Mankind can try to control the future of planet earth, but the efforts are only futile when God is removed from the equation.

The Bible tells us that intense weather patterns and natural disasters will increase and become more frequent as we get closer to Jesus’s return. Jesus also said we would have wars and pestilence. (Matthew 24:6-7, Luke 21:10-11) Do these warnings from Jesus sound like where we are today?
Psalm 46:1-3 reads, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”
God doesn’t want us to fear the future of the earth. HE is our refuge, our shelter, and our hope. HE is our strength, our present help. God is always present with us. God did not create this planet and then let it just spin out of His control. HE reigns over HIS creation.

In Psalm 46:4-5 we are told that God will protect His Church. (God’s City) Our physical bodies will have an end but His children will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

Psalm 46:6-9 tells us that God will end all the earthly wars.“The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations He hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire.”
World leaders and scientists may think they can figure it all out without God. But God has given a “Global Warning”! God will put an end to ALL evil pride. Thankfully, nature and nations are not a threat to the people of God. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16

The last two verses in Psalm 46 struck me anew as I was reading them. Psalm 46:10-11, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

This quote, “Be still, and know that I am God”, is said often within Christian circles. Songs have been written surrounding this quote. But when reading these words in context of the setting in which they’re placed, brings about such a greater meaning. Disasters and wars are to be expected in this sin-sick world. What does God tell us to do? Be still. Know that HE is God. But the verse doesn’t end there. After that He tells us that HE will be exalted! God is with us! We are to be still and be in awe of our Maker.

With everything that’s going on in the world recently, reading those last two verses (Psalm 46:10-11) make me shout, “Hallelujah!”

I want to encourage you today. Be still. Know God. Trust God. Exalt God!

This video, “America Again” by the late Christian music artist Carman, was released about 30 years ago. I still have the VHS tape but no VHS player to watch it with. 😄 I’ve been singing it a lot lately as we approach Independence Day. It’s a timely song, even though it’s 30 years old!

Watching the progressive decline of our country over the years is heartbreaking.💔 The Laws of God have been rejected and broken. But I no longer think there are cracks in the foundation of America. I think our foundation is crumbling. These momentous cases were like a jackhammer to the foundation of America.

1962- Engel v. Vitale

1973- Roe v. Wade

2015- Obergefell v. Hodges

Psalms 11:1-7 “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth. Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.”

There is no doubt that we need God in America. I think of the prophet Habakkuk as he cried out for God’s mercy upon the nation of Judah, whom God’s judgment was falling upon. Habakkuk 3:2 “O LORD, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Is America collapsing before our eyes? I don’t know. But I do know that our only hope is Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father, You are high and lifted up. You are still on the throne. Your throne is everlasting! Only You are worthy of glory, honor, and praise! You behold the upright. Thank You for Your grace being shed upon America. You have blessed us! Now God, help this nation to bless You! Turn the hearts of our president and government leaders to You. Only You, Oh Lord, can stop evil. As a nation, as a people, may we not trust in our merit or greatness. God help us to trust in Your mercy. Lord, though we do not show it or even know it, America needs You. Revive and prepare Your Church for the days ahead. Open the eyes of the blind and awaken this dying nation to our need for You. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. May Your Son and His ultimate sacrifice be honored in America I pray. ~ Amen🙏❤️🇺🇸

2 Corinthians 5:21

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

God made Him “Jesus” sin. God treated His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as if He committed every single sin ever committed by you and by me. Every single sin ever committed by every person who has walked this earth. Though in fact, Jesus committed none of them. 

Hanging on the cross, Jesus was a spotless Lamb. He was never for a split second a sinner! He was Holy God on the cross! But God treated Him as if He lived like you and me. As though He lived like every person who has walked this earth. (What a Savior!) God punished Jesus for our sin, the sin of the whole world. Then God turns around and treats you and me as if we lived like His only begotten Son, Jesus. This is the heart of the Gospel.

God provided Jesus, a substitute for His wrath. What we get is complete forgiveness covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. When God looks at the cross, He sees you and me. When God looks at you and me, He sees Jesus Christ, His Son. 

“The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.” – Jesus Christ

(Mark 1:15)

June 18, 2021

Genesis 9:13  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Rainbows are attention grabbers. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing, when a rainbow appears in the sky, our eyes are drawn to it in wonder. Rainbows are divinely beautiful! 

In the Bible we learn of the very first rainbow. God displayed it to Noah after the great flood. Noah had just witnessed the power of God’s judgment poured upon the earth because man had become continuously evil. In Genesis 6:5 we read, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” God did away with the evil but in grace He preserved Noah and His family. Genesis 6:8 reads, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” God protected Noah from His hand of judgment. He was a witness of God’s judgment but was not a recipient of it. Noah trusted and obeyed God’s instructions to build the Ark. (Genesis 6:12-22, Genesis 7:5) How glorious the very first rainbow must have been after seeing God’s judgment and destruction.

Waters came from above and below compounding in momentum, rapidly moving across the earth annihilating the surface. Yet God remembered Noah and all the others that He preserved on the Ark. (Genesis 8:1) After 40 days and 40 nights of continuous rain, God closed up the rain from heaven. (Genesis 7:12, 8:2) He then dried the ground, and the vegetation returned. Noah was able to step onto the land again. He saw the mighty hand of God wash away the evil from the earth. Yet Noah, his family, and every kind of animal were safely preserved by being cooped up in the Ark for almost a year. 

In humility and gratitude for God’s faithfulness, Noah built an altar and gave sacrifices unto the Lord. (Genesis 8:20) In the midst of his worship, God shined forth a rainbow as a token of His promise to never destroy the earth by water again. (Genesis 9:11-17) 

Why a rainbow? I think of how a rainbow contains all colors. With the dismantling of the earth by water, the earth was likely dissipated into brown mud and muck. How much more special it would be to see a brilliant colorful rainbow after that destruction? Though the rainbow contains every possible earthly “color”, only seven of them are visible to the human eye. Seven in Scripture is the number of completion or perfection. We see the number seven used throughout the Scriptures. 

We read of a rainbow again in Ezekiel 1:28 and in the last book of the Bible, Revelation, chapters 4 and 10. The book of Revelation is where we read of the completed work of Christ. The final judgment and wrath of God come to it’s fulfillment. Then we see Jesus Christ in all His power, majesty, and splendor seated upon the throne surrounded by a glorious rainbow! Then God will create a new Heaven and new Earth. (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1) 

One day our Creator will complete His judgment. God’s first judgment of the earth was by water. His last and final judgment will be with fire. (Malachi 4:1, 2 Peter 3:7, Revelation 20:9)

When the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the world, He answered in Matthew 24:35-39 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Mankind was not ready for the global flood in Noah’s day and Jesus said, mankind will also not be ready for His return and final judgment either. The Bible tells us that Jesus’s return will be unexpected, like a thief. 

Matthew 24:42-44 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Those who are saved and prepared like Noah, should be ready. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 reads, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

God expects His children to be ready. But those who are not anticipating the Lord’s return, will be caught off guard. In fact, the Bible tells us that there will be scoffers in the last days – people who taunt and make fun of the promises of God – those who don’t believe in the global flood, the rainbow covenant, and the final judgment of fire. 

2 Peter 3:3-7 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

Judgment by fire is coming but I’m so thankful that God is patient with us. He gave grace to Noah and mankind was given another chance. As Noah was safe in the Ark, we are safe in Christ. God gave us salvation through Jesus, His Son. (John 3:16, Romans 3:22-26, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:39, 1 Corinthians 15:22)

Rainbows are a display of His covenant of mercy and patience towards us. In 2 Peter 3:8-9 we read “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

God wants us all to repent! Time is ticking and the end is imminent. Jesus said, “Surely I come quickly.” (Revelation 22:20) Just as death ends our personal time on earth, God will close the book of all time and those who have rejected Christ will perish. 

The next time a rainbow grabs our attention, let the beauty of the rainbow challenge us to pray. God has extended His grace to us through Jesus Christ. Pray specifically for those who mock the significance of the rainbow. Pray for those who are not ready for God’s final judgment. Pray for them to repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ. God is able to make all things new! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

May 22, 2021

Matthew 25:1-13

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples as He was describing His glorious return and the end of the world. (Matthew 24:3) Ancient Jewish marriage customs were designed that the bridegroom would come to the bride’s house to observe the wedding ritual and then take the bride with him to his house for the completion of the festivities. Lamps were used for the procession during a night wedding. In the text above, Jesus said there were ten virgins. Five are said to be wise because they had oil in their lamps and were prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom. The other five did not have oil and were described as foolish because they were not prepared for his arrival. All ten virgins slept while waiting for the bridegroom. They all knew he was coming but did not know when he would arrive. (Matthew 24:36,44) 

Jesus was speaking of those awaiting His arrival, known as the rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) What about the virgins without oil? It’s odd how they were waiting, but we read that they were not ready. Their lamps were empty. According to this text, the bridegroom did not take them with Him when He came. He only took the five wise virgins who had oil in their lamps, then he shut the door. The foolish virgins were alongside the wise virgins. According to this parable of Christ’s return, not all who appeared to be ready for Him, really were. This observation is a sobering one. There are people who may say they belong to Jesus. They are hanging out with Christians and acting the part but when Jesus returns, they may not be ready. It is one thing to have a lamp of profession in your hand but not have the Holy Spirit in your heart. This text along with Matthew 7:21-23 and 13:24-30 reveal that not all who profess or even appear to be Christian truly are. Not everyone who goes to church belongs to Jesus. They are Christian in a name only, nominal Christians. We see here that the foolish virgins missed the rapture. 

The virgins who had oil for their lamps were called wise. They were filled and ready for the bridegroom. True Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit and ready for Jesus Christ’s return. But there is another aspect of this parable I find interesting. Jesus said that ALL TEN of the virgins were asleep. Even the virgins who had their lamps full of oil were not alert and watching. They had lost their zeal in their waiting. The startling cry at midnight awakened them all. The virgins who had no oil needed some, the virgins with the oil did not have enough to spare. What if the wise virgins were awake and watching? Would they have been aware of the need that the foolish virgins had and maybe have been able to advise them to buy oil? 

The wise virgins were prepared but they did not look to prepare the foolish. Was it their responsibility to prepare the foolish? Not necessarily. However, they were not watching the way they should have been either. What does this mean for those who are ready for the return of Jesus? I venture to say that in our expectation of Him, we should also be alert and about God’s business. Be ready to warn others of His coming wrath.

Dear Nominal Christian, this parable is for you. You say you are a Christian but you have never really repented of your sins and placed your faith solely in Jesus Christ for salvation. You’re doing all the right things in your own strength but you have not surrendered your life to Christ and trusted in the completed work He accomplished on the cross. If you are not sure of your salvation, the Bible tells us to examine ourselves, (2 Corinthians 13:5) I encourage you to follow this link to learn more about salvation through Jesus Christ. https://in-times-like-these.com/do-you-know-jesus/

Dear Sleeping Christian, this parable is for you. You have repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. You’re filled with the Holy Spirit and awaiting Christ’s return but in your waiting, you’ve lost your zeal. You are sleeping comfortably in your comfort zone. Not going out trying to win a lost soul to Jesus. You await His return, having no urgent concern of those around you who are perishing. You’re not watching. You are sleeping on the job. I exhort you to be alert and ready to tell others of Jesus.(Psalm 96:3, Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20,Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8) 

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

Scripture For Further Study

Matthew 24, Luke 12:31-40, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Titus 2:13-15, Hebrews 9:28, 2 Peter 3:3-14, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 3:2

April 23, 2021

Revelation 1:1-3 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

I saw this picture in my news feed the other day. It is a political cartoon that seems to be making fun of Christian beliefs about the end times. It is quite possible that society IS being conditioned to accept the mark of the beast. But what is the mark of the beast? How do we discern? Better yet, if this is coming, how do we prepare?

Eschatology is the study of what Scripture teaches about the end times. I’ve been a Christian for over 20 years but I had not heard this word “eschatology” until about a decade ago. All I knew of the end times came from men’s interpretation through books and movies. Apocalyptic ideas are popular. End times prophecy is marketable entertainment, so much so that Hollywood has jumped on it too. But we should not rely on Hollywood to interpret God’s Word for us. 

The book of Revelation (last book of the Bible), is typically referred to most when discussing end time events, but a student of the Word recognizes that we can find references to the end times throughout the Bible. Since time began, we have been heading towards the end of time. God is eternal. He created time itself. God lives outside of time. The Bible is God’s Word for ALL of time.

Ever since Jesus ascended into Heaven, 40 days after His resurrection from the dead, the Church has longed for His return and the consummation of the Saints. (Acts 1:1-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Titus 2:13) According to the Bible, this world will get worse and worse. Today most of us would agree that things are definitely getting worse. (Matthew 24:4-13, John 16:33, Romans 1:17-2:11, 2 Timothy 3:1-17, 1 John 2:14-18, 1 John 5:19) 

We also see in scripture that folks will mock the fact that one day God will put an end to this evil world. (2 Peter 3:3-4) One aspect of the end times that the secular world has been mocking as of late is the mark of the beast. Since barcodes and computer technology has become more common in our society, we’ve heard theories about what the mark of the beast will be. Maybe a microchip implanted into the hand or the forehead? I’ve recently heard theories about the COVID-19 shot being the mark. All these theories have brought about fears, speculations, and scoffing among non-Christians and Christians alike. But as Christians, what should be our proper response?

I do not claim to have all the answers. However I do claim to know the one who does have ALL the answers. God, our Creator is omniscient (all-knowing) and we can know Him through His Word. The book of Revelation, which many Christians avoid reading because it contains a lot of symbolism, is the only book that promises a blessing to those who read and understand. Yet, how many Christians truly read to prayerfully understand the book of Revelation?

No matter what thoughts we may have about eschatology and how the end times will unfold, one thing is certain, it all culminates in Jesus Christ. Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is indeed this: a revelation of Jesus Christ. The completion of His mighty work is being displayed in the book of Revelation. In it, we see the power and glory of God through the revealing of Who His Son, Jesus Christ, truly is! When reading this book, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and give you understanding. (John 16:13) God is faithful to His Word. He said He would guide us into all truth and bless us when we adhere to His Word. 

The mark of the beast is first mentioned in Revelation 13:15-16, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:”

From this text we can see that those who would not worship the image of the beast were killed. So by extension we understand that those who would worship the image of the beast are those that receive the mark. This mark will be in their right hand or forehead. Deuteronomy 6:4-8 also has a reference to the hand and forehead. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.” (emphasis mine)

We can see from the text in Deuteronomy that our worship should be devoted to God and His Word. We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, and might. Our thoughts and minds should be on Christ and our hands should be about serving Him. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:1-27, Philippians 2:5) The mark of the beast could be the actual placement of an object or marking upon the skin, but it is much more significant than that. The mark of the beast represents worship. (Revelation 13:15) Who do you worship? Are your thoughts and actions controlled by Christ?

As folks continue to speculate end time events and what the mark of the beast might be, let us keep our focus on Jesus. Many years ago a wise man said to me, “Carolyn, don’t focus so much on the things in scripture that you do not understand. Focus on and strive to obey the things in scripture that you do understand. God is faithful to give you understanding when you need it.” I have repeated that advice to myself many times in my Christian walk. The Lord just wants us to trust and obey Him. He is the one who gives us understanding as needed. God wants our worship. We are to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and might! Devoting ourselves to HIS service! God has given each of us time. Spend it wisely! (Ephesians 5:15-16) 

Instead of wondering what the mark of the beast might be. I should focus on who I am in Christ. HIS mark was placed on me when I repented of my sin and Jesus saved me. I am saved and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13) No one can remove me from my Savior’s hand. (John 10:27-29) My name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! (Philippians 4:2-4, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 20:14-15) I think the best way to prepare for the end times is by living each day for the glory of God!  For we never know when our end time may be.

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Scripture For Further Study

Psalm 115:1, Matthew 5:16 Matthew 6:33, Romans 1:16-18, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:23, Colossians 4:5, Hebrews 11:6

April 10, 2021

There is a story I heard years ago. It is called “The Burning Ember”. You may have heard it before but I think it is a good story and it relates to the topic of this blog post. I’m not sure who authored this or if it is even true. Either way, this is a great story that reminds us of the importance of the Church gathering:

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon the ember was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”

Throughout the scriptures we see the importance of God’s children gathering together. We are not meant to be isolated physically, mentally, or spiritually. God created the Church through Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus is the Head and we are His body. In 1 Corinthians 12:12 we read,  “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” We read in the book of Acts when the Church was born. The early Church made gathering together a priority. In fact, they not only gathered on Sunday, but they gathered together daily! (Acts 2:41-47)

In Hebrews 10:24-25 we read, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” We are to consider one another. In the Bible concordance, the original definition of the word consider is to behold, discover, perceive, to see. This act of consider, that we are being instructed here to do, is something that can only be done in-person. We are told to provoke each other unto love and good works, to come alongside and stir one another. God clearly tells us in Hebrews 10:25 that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. In the original Greek, forsake means to leave behind or desert. We also read in this verse “as the manner of some is”. From this phrase we can only rightly discern that the writer of Hebrews was aware of some who had already ceased assembling together!

Please do not take this the wrong way, I understand that some people have underlying health conditions and need to be cautious about gathering with people. But from my observation, COVID-19 has made the transgression of “forsaking the assembling” more acceptable. When this virus hit our country, we were not fully aware of the seriousness. The media, per usual, jumped on the news and ran. There has been no consistency in the scientific understanding of the virus except for the constant streaming of fear. After a few months, most realize that the science has become political and we see this virus being used by governments to control its citizenry. Because of the uncertainty over the dangers and out of respect for our governing authorities, most Church gatherings stopped for a time. Were the lockdowns and quarantines necessary? – That is up for debate. But we do know that in the Bible, God teaches us to quarantine the sick NOT the healthy. (Leviticus 13, Numbers 5, Numbers 31, Deuteronomy 23, 2 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 26) 

As I previously stated, God also tells us not to forsake our gathering. Sickness is a clause in this that we must wisely discern. But, may we not forget that the God we serve is omnipotent. He is sovereign and He is in control. He is able to protect His Church for His purposes. God’s plans are far above ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 11:33) I believe that instead of listening to the media and following their advice, we should be seeking the Lord for wisdom and understanding. After all, we are to obey God rather than man. (Acts 5:29)

The latter part of Hebrews 10:25 says, “so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”. It is of greater importance to gather as we see the day getting closer. What day is being referred to here? In the original Greek it refers to an infinite age of judgment. The day is coming for all of us to enter eternity. That day is our final day. God is telling us that the closer we get to that day, the greater need there is to our gathering together as the Church. In 1 Thessalonians chapters 4-5, we learn of the return of Jesus Christ and how the Church is to prepare. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” God wants us to be together. There is nothing more important than the Kingdom of God! (Matthew 6:33)

I’m attaching a video interview of a pastor in Canada who was in jail for having church services during the COVID-19 lockdown. After 35 days, they released him, but then this week their local health department and government officials erected a fence around their church building to prevent the Church from going inside. I encourage you to pray for this church family and their leaders as they navigate their way through this. From his interview, I can already see God using this church’s platform to spread the Gospel. Praise the Lord! No one can fence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! At the 8:20 time stamp, you can hear him present the glorious Gospel.

I also want to encourage you to pray for the Church in America. Pray the Lord prepares and strengthens us in the days ahead. Already the government’s overreach on our right to exercise religion has affected some American churches. We as the Church need to be steadfast in the faith and gather together because Church is essential!

Scripture For Further Study

Psalm 133:1, Proverbs 27:17, Matthew 16:18-19, Matthew 28:18-20, John 21:15-19, Acts 20:27-32, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Galatians 6:1-10, Ephesians 1:19-23, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 4:11-16, Colossians 3:12-24, 1 Timothy 3:14-15, James 5:14-16, 1 Peter 5:1-11, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1-3

The most important event that has ever happened to mankind was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For in this event we find our purpose and our hope. The Gospel – Jesus became the propitiation for us. (1 John 4:9-10) His death killed sin, His death killed death!  Jesus Christ, the Holy Lamb of God, the only sacrifice acceptable by God in order to give justification, freedom, and new life. There is no death of sin without the death of Christ Jesus. The innocent, spotless Lamb of God was tortured and then suffered a horrific death. He who knew no sin, but became sin, and died. (2 Corinthians 5:21) The righteous wrath of the holy almighty God, who created the universe, was poured out upon Jesus, the only person to ever walk upon the earth without sin. The Bible even says that it pleased the Lord to bruise (crush) Him! (Isaiah 53:10) Think about that. God’s wrath was satisfied by killing His own Son! It fulfilled His desire! Wow. This was God’s plan completed God’s way. Oh, but it doesn’t end there. The story continues. His thrashed, limp, and lifeless body was laid in a tomb. The natural decaying process commenced. But three days later the temple that God dwelled in (John 2:19), was permeated once again with the Spirit of the living God! Glorified blood began to flow through His veins. Holy breath entered His lungs, and Jesus got up! Glory! Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is risen indeed! (Matthew 28:5-9, Mark 16:9-14, Luke 24:1-7, John 20:1-17) Thinking about the resurrection of my Savior makes my heart leap for joy! This is the Gospel. This is the good news! (John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Why is this such good news? Because the death and resurrection of Jesus is our only hope for freedom from sin here on earth and an eternity with Him in Heaven. Without Jesus, we are damned to Hell forever. (Matthew 25:28, Luke 16:19-31, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:14-15, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9) Our sin, ALL of our sin was imputed upon the only begotten perfect Son of God and His glorious righteousness was imputed upon those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Through Him, we have redemption. Through Him, we have salvation! We are wretched, and we have absolutely nothing that we contribute to our salvation except the sin that put our precious Jesus on that cross. (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-11, Romans 3:23, Romans 7:24-25, Ephesians 2:4-9) 

I think that in order for us to truly appreciate what Jesus did on the cross, we need to recognize how depraved we really are. A missionary evangelist named Paul Washer once said, “The cross is not a sign of our great worth but of our great depravity, that we were so evil that the only way we could be saved is by God’s Son being crushed under the full force of God’s wrath that was due to us.” Though the cross was a place of torture and crucifixion, because of Christ, it has become a symbol of beauty and love. We see the cross displayed on church buildings, jewelry, clothing, and various decor. There is no other execution or torture device that holds this beauty. Think about it. Do you see a guillotine or a noose displayed in this manner? The Bible says that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are lost in their sin. But to those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus, the cross holds the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) The same horrid cross that held my Savior as He bled and died is the same glorious cross that overcame the curse of sin and death. The beautiful and wondrous cross of Jesus Christ demands my all!

One of my favorite hymns is “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” by Isaac Watts, written in 1707. I have shared a link to this song at the end of this post for you to enjoy in worship. The very last lyrics to this song convict me each time I sing it. They are, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” God should not have to demand anything from me. I should willingly embrace Him! He gave ALL. I too should give ALL. Apart from the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, none of us are capable to love and obey Him. But because of the cross, the veil is torn and we can boldly approach His holy throne of grace. (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45, Hebrews 10: 19-23, Hebrews 4:14-16) 

I’ve heard it said that as long as we live here on the earth in our fleshly bodies, we will never be sinless but as Christians (lovers of Jesus Christ) we should sin less. The sin we commit today was placed upon Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. Does this mean that I should continue in my sin? God forbid! Oh how we need to remember what our Lord did for us on that cross! Jesus bore the weight of every single sin committed for all of time. Why would I want to willfully add to the weight He had to bear?! God help me please! I don’t want to grieve You! (Romans 5:8-6:23, Ephesians 4:30) We are great sinners but Jesus Christ is a greater Savior! He arose so we can live in victory over sin and death! (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Corinthians 15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 6:10, Philippians 4:13, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4) 

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of the Christian faith. Though we have carved out a specific time on the calendar to celebrate this event, this celebration should live in our hearts continually! I hope that you take the time to read through the Bible verses that are included in this blog. I pray they nourish your soul as they did mine. Matthew 4:4b “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Many blessings to you this Resurrection Celebration Weekend!

Scripture For Further Study

(Genesis 3, Isaiah 53, John 14:9-21, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 1:12-29, Revelation 1:17-18, Revelation 4:11-5:14)

March 27, 2021

Judas Iscariot was the disciple known for betraying Jesus Christ. (Matthew 26:14-16, John 13:21-27) How could anyone betray Jesus?! He is the Son of God! The only one to ever walk the earth with no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:21-25, Hebrews 4:15) How could Judas turn on Jesus, the Holy Lamb of God?! 

When I think of Judas, I think of how evil his heart must have been to betray Jesus. I also think about the fact that Jesus, knowing that Judas would betray Him, still chose Judas to be His disciple. (Mark 3:19, Luke 6:16) Judas walked with Jesus, heard His teachings, and witnessed His miracles for three years. Yet he still betrayed Him! 

Even though Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him (Matthew 26:25, John 13:27-30, John 17:11-12, Psalm 41:9, Acts 1:16), Judas had the opportunity to repent and be saved. God so loved the world, (John 3:16) and in 2 Peter 3:9 the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Judas showed remorse after his betrayal (Matthew 27:3-5), but he did not humble himself, go to the cross, and trust in Christ. Instead he went into self loathing and guilt. He took matters into his own hands.

May we never forget that we too are all capable of betraying Christ. In fact, we betray Jesus with every sin we commit. If you recall, every disciple fled when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus. (Matthew 26:56) Peter fled and then denied Jesus three times. The difference between Judas and the other disciples was not the betrayal. The difference was that Judas did not go to the cross. The heart of Judas was no more wicked than our hearts. (Jeremiah 17:9-10, Psalm 51:5) 

We sometimes-from our human perspective-place sins on different levels of severity or degree. God’s standard is perfection. ALL have sinned and come short of His glory. (Romans 3:23) Romans 3:10-11 “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” We must remember that the ground is level at the cross. None of us are worthy to be forgiven! Yet through Jesus Christ, the Holy Lamb of God, we can receive the gift of salvation. (Ephesians 2:1-6) Octavius Winslow, a Baptist preacher in the 19th century said, “Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money, not the Jews, for envy;- but the Father, for love!” God gave us Jesus. (1 John 4:10)

I’m saddened when I think about Judas Iscariot. Not only for his betrayal of Jesus but for his decision to continue wallowing in self pity. All he had to do was look to Christ! The precious Savior of the world who cleanses us from ALL sin! May we learn from Judas’ mistake. Do not allow pride to blind you into self destruction. Don’t give up! No sin is too great that cannot be forgiven. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough to wash away EVERY sin! No one is too far from the amazing grace of God! He is always ready and waiting to forgive the poor, contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Come to the cross!

Scripture For Further Study

Psalm 51:17, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3, Acts 3:18-21, Romans 10:9, 1 John 1:9  

March 20, 2021

Alexis de Tocqueville, was a political scientist, historian, and politician, (born July 29, 1805, Paris, France—died April 16, 1859, Cannes). He is best known for writing the Democracy in America, 4 vol. (1835–40), which was a perceptive analysis of the political and social system of the United States in the early 19th century. In his writings he shared this fascinating discovery:

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers—and it was not there. . . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests—and it was not there. . . . .in her rich mines and her vast world commerce—and it was not there. . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there.  Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.  America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

I think his observation of America was insightful. Most of us would agree that the United States of America is a blessed nation, unlike any other nation in world history. Unfortunately, most of us would also agree that America looks to be on descent. In some ways it seems like our country is not just on the decline, but it seems like we are plummeting! The Godly foundation from which our nation began is crumbling and a lot of us are feeling pretty helpless. In Psalm 11:3 we read, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” So, what do we do?

As Christians, we know that God is our only hope. In the verses following Psalm 11:3 we read in 4-5, “The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.” I find great comfort in knowing that God is fully aware of what is happening in America. He is still in His holy temple, God is still on the throne of Heaven. His eyes are upon us and I think that even now, He is trying His children. We are under God’s watchful eye. So, what do we do? The classic and the correct answer to this question is, we pray! But is that all God wants His children to do?

Nations have come and gone since time began. An interesting observation was made by the Scottish philosopher Alexander Tyler, of the University of Edinburg where he noted eight stages that occur with great nations in world which have risen and fallen.

1.       From bondage to spiritual growth

2.       From spiritual growth to great courage

3.       From courage to liberty

4.       From liberty to abundance

5.       From abundance to complacency

6.       From complacency to apathy

7.       From apathy to dependence

8.       From dependence back to bondage

The eight stages Alexander Tyler point out bear a striking resemblance to the progression of America, and I believe that we are entering the eighth stage. Does this mean the end of America? Only God knows for sure. But we do know that God is the only one who can turn things around if He so chooses.

The Holy Bible records history of the nations. Specifically, the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people have been through the eight stages mentioned above multiple times. Because of their obedience and disobedience to God, Israel has risen and fallen throughout Biblical history. Even today, they are a nation who still strive for peace as they await their promised Messiah with hope that peace will finally come to their land. Sadly, they do not realize that their Peace has already come, and they do not recognize Him. The Jewish religion refuse to believe that Jesus Christ is their promised Messiah, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, John 16:33)

After Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the Jews and Jesus’ disciples continued to look for a restoration to their earthly kingdom of Israel. In Acts 1:6 we read, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Even after seeing the miracles of Christ, hearing His teachings, and witnessing His glorious resurrection, they were still placing emphasis on earthly matters. Jesus replied to their question and said in Acts 1:7-8, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Jesus always directed them to the eternal Kingdom, the Kingdom of God which is not of this world. (John 18:33-37) We look at the disciples’ lack of understanding and are amazed at how quickly they lose their eternal focus, but don’t we do the same? Lord, wilt thou restore again the kingdom of America?

For the past few years we have been hearing the phrase “Make America Great Again”. A phrase that brought hope in these times of discouragement. A lot of Christians looked for President Donald Trump to get America back on the right track. Granted, the man had his flaws, but it appeared that he did take a good conservative approach in his leadership choices. But it took only less than a year for his accomplishments to unravel. Remember, “The Lord trieth the righteous.” (Psalm 11:5) Are we being tried? If so, what do we do?

When the disciples questioned Jesus about the future of the earthly kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6), He said that the Holy Ghost is going to empower them and lead them. (John 16:13, Acts 1:7-8) Jesus said to them, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus’ last words before His ascension were to go, to teach, and to make disciples! He did not say to fight for the earthly kingdom of Israel. Jesus said they would receive power to be HIS witnesses and on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came and empowered them to follow Christ’s command, and that is exactly what they did. Hallelujah! The Church was born and has been prevailing ever since! (Matthew 16:18, John 12:32, Acts 2:47,4:4, 5:14, 9:31, Acts12:24)

America may be in trouble but God is still great, and He is always in control! The Church is not called to save America, our call is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ which saves souls! No matter what happens to the United States of America, we as soldiers of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, march onward!

Scripture For Further Study

2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 2, Psalm 22:27-28, Psalm 33:12, Proverbs 21:1, Proverbs 29:2, Daniel 2:20-23, Daniel 9:1-19, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:1-7

March 13, 2021

“All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus.” This is a quote I have seen in recent years. I think it’s cute and for those of us who like to have our quiet time in the Bible with a cup of coffee, the quote rings true. But really, if we are honest with ourselves, it is only half true. We do need Jesus, but coffee, well… Before you snarl at me, know that I am a coffee lover, I start each day with a cup of brew. I am not negating the fact that coffee is a great way to kick start the day. However, coffee does not fall in the “need” category. Our needs are met in Christ, not coffee. (Philippians 4:19)

Do you start each day with Jesus? Do thoughts of Him enter your mind when you first wake?

Since I have been a Christian, I believe that every morning when I awake, I think upon the Lord first. But sadly, I cannot say that every morning when I awake that I commune with Him first. There is this little rectangular device I use as an alarm clock, but it is so much more than that. It is also a phone; a calendar; a mail source; a news source, a media source; a camera; a calculator; a notepad; and even a Bible with a concordance, dictionary, Bible commentaries, Bible devotionals, and ministry apps! This little rectangular device contains a lot of great resources! The list of features this small device contains is remarkable but they are not necessarily needful to my daily life and I can easily be distracted from my Lord.

The Bible tells us the importance of seeking God first. In Psalms 63:1-2 we read, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.”

Our thirst every morning should not just be coffee, but Jesus! To seek the Him with great desire! In Psalm 5:3 we read, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” God can hear us at any time of the day or night but there is something significant about pursuing God when we first awaken. Each new day is a creation of God. We are to be thankful and rejoice with each new day! (Psalm 118:24) God is faithful. Every morning His mercies are new. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Since most of us do not awaken with great vigor, seeking the Lord’s strength every morning is advantageous. More importantly we should be seeking God’s guidance for each new day. King David asked God to “cause” him to hear. He wanted the Lord to provoke or generate a desire in him to listen for God’s guidance with each new day. Psalm 143:8 “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” Seeking and listening for God does not come naturally, it comes spiritually.

I find that my smartphone caters to my natural state more than to my spiritual state. Therefore, I must purposefully turn off my morning alarm and not allow myself to become entertained by the smartphone’s many features. The enemy does not want me to start the day seeking the Lord. Distraction is one of his best schemes. There is so much evil going on in the world! If I am not seeking God first thing in the morning, I usually become discouraged and overwhelmed before noon!

As Christians, our entire days should be filled with Christ. Scripture tells us to walk in the Spirit and be in communication with our Lord continually. (Galatians 5:16, 5:25, 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Continually begins first thing in morning. I urge you and as I urge you, I am urging myself too! Start each new day with Jesus! Make the most of the time you are given. (Ephesians 5:16, Psalm 90:12) Seek and submit yourself unto God, do not allow the enemy to interrupt your devotion to Jesus! (James 5:7)

My prayer is that every morning when the Lord opens our eyes, we will look to Him first.

❤️🙏

Scripture For Further Study

Psalm 1:2, Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:33, Mark 1:35-37, John 15:4-7, Hebrews 11:6

March 13, 2021

As a child when I was in grade school, I would sometimes take tests that were in a “True or False” format. I would usually have to circle or write in the letter T or F. I remember how the teacher would sometimes use a statement that was worded in a way that made it hard for me to decide which answer to choose. I had a 50-50 shot on my answer. It was crucial that I read the statement thoroughly because just one word could change the entire meaning of the statement.

The Bible talks about what is true. In fact, John 17:17 reads “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Jesus stated God’s Word is truth. Jesus also said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus claims Himself as The Truth. Since God’s Word is truth and Jesus Himself is THE Truth, it must be important to know Jesus and His Word.

“What is truth?” is probably the most important question we will have to answer in our lifetime. Truth is a controversial topic. There is a term we hear about in our current culture known as Postmodernism. This is a Western philosophy, a late 20th-century movement that is characterized by broad skepticism, subjectivism or relativism. It is a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them. But in reality, this ideology has been around since time began. The Bible says in Judges 17:6b, “but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” And in Proverbs 14:12 we read that “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We humans often think that we can decide for ourselves what is true. We want truth to accommodate our own selfish desires. That is also known as humanism, a progressive philosophy of life without God.

Truth has been under attack since the Garden of Eden. Satan was the first to attack truth when he deceived Eve, leading her to doubt what God said. Since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), we all have been rejecting God’s law (God’s truth). We have followed our own fleshly desires instead of God’s desires. We think that we know better than God. WE want to define truth. We want to decide what is right and what is wrong. But this thought process poses a problem. What if a person wanted to kill someone that they do not like? Or what if someone says it is okay to steal something from someone just because they want it? Having a mindset that we can define our own truth, this is MY reality, and all is relative leads to pain and loss. Who decides what is relative? Who decides right and wrong? Can you see the problem with this kind of mindset? Can we really decide for ourselves what the truth is?

Whether we like it or not, there is a standard in this world that has been here since creation. It is God’s standard. God’s laws have been part of this world from the beginning. God’s natural law is what sustains creation. The sun remains the exact same distance from the earth and has not gotten any closer or farther away. If it moved, we would either burn up or freeze to death. God’s creation was made with order, with guidelines. In the Bible, Romans 2:14-15 says, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” God’s creation is instilled with a sense of right and wrong yet our flesh or natural tendency is to follow our own selfish desires.

Creation was perfect and in perfect order before sin entered the world. But when sin entered, disorder and death came with it. The first sin came when truth (God’s Word) was questioned. The Bible says that we are wicked from the start. In Jeremiah 17:9-10 we read, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” According to these verses, our hearts are so dark and deceived that we cannot even know or understand ourselves until God reveals truth to us. 2 Corinthians 4:6 reads, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” We do not have the authority to define truth. We are not self-created, we have a Creator who defines truth. He is truth. We are sinners. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

The Bible not only talks about the truth, but the Bible also talks about the false. Throughout scripture there are warnings about deception and lies. In John 8:44 the Bible says that Satan is the father of lies. In Matthew 24, where Jesus is talking about the signs of end times, He warns us four times in just one chapter about coming deception. In Revelation 18, 19, and 20 we read about Satan’s deceptiveness too. Satan is the god of this world and he blinds us from truth until God opens our eyes to Himself. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 we read, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Just like Satan deceived Eve way back in the beginning. (Genesis 3) He is still tricky today. He will manipulate and try to get us to doubt God’s Word. But with God’s help, we can choose to believe in our Creator. He loves us so much that He gave us the way to be free from sin and death. As we read in a previous paragraph, Jesus is the way! (John 14:6)

As I think back on those true and false tests I took in school, I remember that I would have to reread the statements two or three times before deciding which answer to circle. If I circled the correct answer to enough of the questions, I passed the test. What do we do about the test God has laid before each one of us?  God has written out His statement. It is the Holy Bible. He has given us all we need to know Him and to walk in truth. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” There are only two choices we have for God’s Word. TRUE- Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. Or FALSE- Satan, sin, death, and hell.

The choice is set before you and you have a 50-50 shot at choosing the right answer. What answer will you circle? Will you place your faith in Jesus Christ today? I am praying for you to choose the right answer.

Scriptures for Further Study:

Psalm 15:1-3, Psalm 25:4-10, Psalm 26:2-4, Psalm 31:4-6, Psalm 33:3-5, Psalm 40:9-11, Psalm 43:2-4, Psalm 45:3-5, Psalm 51:5-7, Psalm 54:4-6, Psalm 57:2-4, Psalm 60:3-5, Psalm 61:6-8, Psalm 69:12-14, Psalm 71:21-23, Psalm 85:9-11, Psalm 86:10-15, Psalm 89:13-15, John 1:13-17, John 3:20-22, John 4:22-24, John 8:31-47, John 14:5-18, John 15:25-27, John 17:16-20, John 18:36-39, Romans 1:18-25, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-15, 2 Timothy 2:15-26, 2 Timothy 4:1-4, 1 John 1:5-10 In the menu of this website there is link that reads, “Do You Know Jesus?”. If you would like to know more about Him, please follow that link. If you have any questions, click on the contact link to send me a message.

^{Take a 2000 year old question, throw in a mix of Gen Z college students, a healthy serving of experts, a dash of animation, and what do you get? Road Trip to Truth, a series that seeks to teach us that the answers to life’s biggest questions are never that far off. Join host John Fabarez on his journey to find answers on the topics of evolution, depression, the reliability of the Bible, logical fallacies, the existence of God, and of course, truth itself. So buckle up, grab your favorite gas station snacks, and prepare yourself for every twist and turn on Road Trip to Truth.}

https://www.youtube.com/c/RoadTriptoTruth/videos

March 3, 2021

JAMES 4:14 

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Driving home from work the other day I noticed a vehicle riding my rear bumper and getting way too close for comfort. As I observed it through my rearview mirror, I realized it was a hearse! This seemed unusual that he was tailgating me and frankly a bit disturbing. Now I have been tailgated in my life but never by a hearse! It was just odd. While enduring this abnormal occurrence, I began to contemplate about death. In a sense, death does follow behind us and eventually it will catch up to us all. I liken it to a thin veil that is hanging right next to each of us. At some point in our lifetime, we will all go through this veil of death into an eternity. 

Death is not a comfortable topic. It is a discussion that we typically try to avoid. We rarely think about it until it happens to someone we know. We may have warnings of a coming death, due to illness or old age, but death can also occur unexpectedly. No matter how death comes about, it will come for us all. God’s Word says there is a time to be born and time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:2). Do you know the statistics on death? One out of every one person will die! The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” After we pass through the veil of death, we will all meet our Maker, the very one who gave us life. When someone I know dies, my first response is usually one of shock or disbelief. I wonder if the reason disbelief happens first is because God created us for eternity. 

Have you ever thought about your own death? What sort of emotions develop in you when you think about your own approaching death? There are a variety of emotions surrounding the subject of death: feelings such as sadness, fear, shock, despair, and disbelief. With the myriad of emotions that accompany death, I think the most common emotion we all have is fear. A lot of folks would say it is the fear of the unknown. But we can know what to expect after death, because the one who made us tells us what to expect. Should born-again believers in Jesus Christ fear death? After all, we know that our eternal destination is Heaven. 

Since I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ, I do not fear the other side of the veil. But thoughts about how God is going to take me through the veil can bring about fear. Thoughts of leaving my loved ones behind can bring sadness and concern. The Apostle Paul longed to be with Jesus in glory. He said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In the first chapter of Philippians, he talks about longing to be with Christ but God still had work for him. It was not yet his time to go. 

In my observations, specifically over the last year, I do not think every Christian looks upon death as gain. COVID-19 made its appearance to our nation about a year ago. Since its entrance the virus has pretty much dominated our lives. One thing I have noticed about the response to this health crisis is that a lot of people are afraid to die. Even professing Christians seem fearful. The populace has been trying their best to avoid something that will eventually happen to all of us. 

Avoiding death is a natural act because life is a precious gift that God has given us. However, I think we can get so focused on this life here on earth, which is but a vapor, that we forget that God is sovereign over ALL of life. He gives us every breath! He gives us every heartbeat! We cannot exist without Him. 

Disease and death have been here since sin entered the world. (Genesis chapters 2-3) Throughout the centuries mankind has developed ways to treat disease and prolong life but death is inescapable. I find it interesting that when we read the Gospels of the Bible, we find that the main interest people had in Jesus was that He healed the sick and raised the dead. The multitudes would follow Him, gather around Him, and beg Him for healing.

Today, since we have so many medical advances, our society seems to rely more on science. Science is good, God gives us knowledge. However, our understanding of science changes. I mean, look at all the inconsistencies surrounding COVID-19. But God, hallelujah, He does not change! We need His wisdom to direct our knowledge. Unfortunately, many scientists do not believe in God. Therefore, they do not seek God’s wisdom in their research. I think fear has become the driving force behind many scientists. So when we allow science alone to direct us instead of following God’s Word and wisdom, our focus is off. If we look even deeper, it is really our faith that is off. We lose sight of God. Christians are to have a personal relationship with the God of the entire universe! Every single microorganism is in HIS control. Where is our faith?

In a Daily Wire article titled “The End Of Frivolous Religion?” by John MacAuthor, he discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a distinction between churches in America. Those who obey the Word of God and those who obey man. The following is paragraph from this article by MacAuthor. “Who could possibly miss the fact that “fear of death” has literally been the controlling factor in government policies, news reports, economic trends, and almost every level of human activity worldwide for the past year? Scripture gives us a clear and effectual remedy for that fear. And the Church’s chief duty with regard to society at large is the proclamation of that message.” 

God has given us the remedy for fear and death—trust and obey Him. As Christians, our duty is to be doers of the Word. (James 1:22) There are two commands given to us in the scripture that have sadly been disobeyed over the past year because of quarantines and shutdowns. Those commands are Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” and Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” 

What we are experiencing in our world today should bring about a greater urgency in our calling as Christians. We are instructed in scripture to not fear the death of our body but to fear the destination of our soul. (Matthew 10:28). Many have a greater fear of this pandemic than they do of God and the second death. People are dying without Jesus!

Christian, unless Jesus returns in our lifetime, we will not escape death. Whether we die first or be caught up in the rapture, don’t you want the Lord Jesus to see that you are going about HIS business when your life here ends? As Jesus said in Luke 9:62 “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Death is on the tail of each one of us. It follows closely behind us on this road we travel. As death follows us, are we following Jesus? No matter how or when our life here ends, we are not supposed to stop. We plow forward and continue His work, for His glory! 

Scripture For Further Study:

Psalm 23, Psalm 90:12, Psalm 116:15, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 27:1, Ecclesiastes 3, Ecclesiastes 7:1-12, Isaiah 25:8, John 3:16, John 16:33, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:37-39, Romans 14:7-8, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 John 4:18, Revelation 1:18, Revelation 21:4

February 25, 2021

In the very first chapter and verse of the Bible we read that “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth.” Genesis 1:1. In chapter 2 of Genesis we read that God created marriage. (Genesis 2:21-24) Adam and Eve were married in the Garden of Eden. It was the perfect wedding celebration! However, it was only perfect because it was before sin had entered the world. Sin happened, and there has not been a perfect wedding celebration since. But, praise God, that is not the end of the story! One day there will be another perfect wedding celebration. The day that Christ returns for His Bride, the Church.

In Ephesians 5:20-33 we read about earthly marriage and heavenly marriage. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

In the book of Genesis concerning Adam and Eve and their marriage. Chapter 2:21-24 we read, “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Both texts (Genesis and Ephesians) refer to marriage. We see God’s design and correlation with marriage. God created earthly marriage as a picture of things to come. God knew that Adam would fall and He painted the portrait of His redemption plan even before Adam sinned and lost fellowship with God. Everything in the Garden was perfect. There was no sin or pain, but God wounded Adam’s side. God took a rib and created a bride for Adam.

Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin and died on the cross. (2 Corinthians 5:21) While Jesus hung on the cross, one of the Roman soldiers took his sword and pierced Jesus’s side to confirm He was dead. Water and blood poured out. (John 19:34) Jesus died on the cross to purchase His Bride, the Church. The wedding plan we see in the Garden came to fruition on the cross. Adam slept and God removed his rib to create a bride for Adam. Jesus was wounded and died (Isaiah 53), then rose again to create His Bride. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 we read, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.”

The Apostle Paul refers to Christ and His Church as “a great mystery“. He speaks of this in other locations in the Bible too:

Romans 16:25 “Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”

Colossians 1:27 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Our Creator is a mystery. He does great things past finding out and His wonders are without number! (Job 9:10) In Romans 11:33 we read, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

GOD IS AWESOME. Our perfect Holy, Creator wants us, sinful man, to be HIS Bride! When I recall all of the sins I have committed. All the mean and malicious things I have done in my life. The evil thoughts that have occupied my mind. Why would God want ME for His Bride? Truly a mystery, but Oh how thankful I am! “That God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

In the very last book of the Bible, Revelation, in the last four chapters (19-22) we read about the next perfect wedding celebration. THIS perfect celebration will last forever!

Revelation 19:7-17 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;”

What a sight this wedding day will be! I can only imagine! Now I ask you. Are you coming to the wedding? The feast is waiting and you are invited. Jesus is the Bridegroom. He has proposed. Will you say yes?

If you have not put your faith in Jesus, I encourage you to do so today. The mysterious love story written out for us in the Bible has a conclusion. For those who have trusted in Christ as their Lord and Savior, the end of the book marks just the beginning of everlasting glory! While the opposite is true for those who have not trusted in Christ. The end of the book marks the beginning of everlasting torment. (Revelation 20:10-15) I urge you to make sure you are going to the everlasting wedding celebration. This webpage contains a link titled, “Do You Know Jesus?”. Please follow the link so you can see how you too can be in the bridal party. If you would like to talk with me personally, click on the contact link to send a message. I hope and pray that I will see you at the supper table!

Scripture For Further Study:

Matthew 9:15, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 25:1-13, Mark 2:19-20, Luke 5:34-35, John 3:27-36, Revelation 18:23

This Video clip is a Great Illustration

“Opinions Can Be Hazardous”

February 20, 2021

Read Psalm 1

Who do you listen to?

What guides your thoughts?

Where do you seek counsel?

I have found that it is not hard to find an opinion. In case you haven’t noticed, we have no shortage of opinions. We all have them! In fact, in my opinion, we are all experts in our own opinions. They are free and available everywhere! Our family, friends, and neighbors have lots of advice. When we turn on the news, we not only get the news, but we get the newsperson’s opinion of the news. We watch a sporting event on television, we not only get a play-by-play narrative of the game, but we also get the thoughts of the sportscasters about each play. We check the weather and we not only find out it’s going to be cold outside, but we are also told to make sure we wear a coat! There is a lot being said about a lot of things. Information flows bountifully from all around.

By its definition, an opinion is not necessarily fact or truth. Yet at times we follow opinions without thinking them through or analyzing the source of the opinion. In general, opinions are not based on the Bible. I have found that most opinions come from our personal thoughts or experiences. That doesn’t mean that our advice and opinions do not have value, but as sinners our thoughts might be flawed. Therein lies the danger of heeding to opinions.

God’s Word should guide our thoughts and opinions. In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”  We are to trust God with ALL our heart, don’t rely on ourselves but acknowledge Him in ALL ours ways. In Romans 12:2 we read, “…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We are not to conform to worldly thought.

Returning to Psalm 1, verses 1-3 read, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” We see in these verses that the blessings of God flow as we seek Him and meditate on His Word. We will be fruitful and prosperous when we hold fast to God’s instruction for our lives. These are wonderful promises that the Lord gives. Yet if we are not spiritually prepared, we can fall prey to and attach ourselves to ungodly opinions or advice.

Adhering to worldly opinions can bring about harm to ourselves and those around us. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 we are warned, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” We need to be wise about who we listen to and who we surround ourselves with. Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

In the remaining chapter of Psalm 1, verses 4-6 tell us what happens to worldly notions. “The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” If thoughts and opinions are not based on Biblical principles, they have no solidity. As Christians the Word of God should be the basis to ALL of life. (Matthew 7:24-27, 2 Peter 1:2-4) Knowing that worldly opinions can be dangerous, let us be wise about where we seek counsel. We should filter advice and opinions through the Word of God. (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Philippians 4:8)

Now. As you can see from my cascade of words in this devotion, I am a flowing fountain of thoughts and opinions. 😊 I have prayerfully tried to filter all that I’ve said through the Word of God, but I too should be tested and filtered by you. (1John 4:1) I am fallible. I am a sinner. We all need to be cautious about not only what we hear but what we say. We can be guilty of giving our own worldly opinions to others and we may not even be aware! This can transpire from habits, hearsay, or ignorance of the Scripture. Oh, how we need to know the Word of God! Guard our hearts and our tongues! (Proverbs 4:23, 13:3, 21:23, 30:5, Hosea 4:6, Matthew 12:36, Ephesians 4:29, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 5:8)

Worldly opinions are ever changing but God and His Word never changes! His opinion is steadfast and eternal. In Isaiah 40:8 the Bible says “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand forever.” Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away.” In 1 Peter 1:25 we read, “But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.”

In this world of constant change in views and opinions coming at us from all directions, we need to remember that there is only one opinion that REALLY matters—our Creator’s. I find great comfort in knowing that God NEVER changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17) Our God is abundant in mercy and overflowing in grace!

Scriptures For Further Study:

Joshua 1:8-9, Job 27:3-4, Psalm 19:14, Proverbs 10:17-21,13:20, 16:3, 16:27-28, 26:28, Jeremiah 7:23-24, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 10:5, Colossians 2:6-8, 3:1-2, James 1:8, 1:22, 1 John 4:1, Revelation 1:8, 22:12-14

February 13, 2021

It is the Valentine’s Day season, and the stores are filled with hearts to give to our Sweethearts. We typically visualize hearts in a pretty red shape. ❤️ Yet we know that our physical heart does not have the same appearance. Our physical heart is a muscular organ that pumps the blood through our body giving us life and breath. It is truly amazing how God created our hearts, they keep beating in a sinus rhythm without us making any conscious effort. If the heart is diseased or it goes out of its sinus rhythm, it can affect our entire body. I personally have experienced the feeling of having my heart go out of its sinus rhythm. It was a scary experience. Heart disease, according to the World Health Organization, is the leading cause of death across the globe. Our heart is the core of our physical life. Apart from the successful use of medication, CPR or a defibrillator, if our heart stops beating, we die. With our heart being the core sustainer of our physical life, it seems appropriate that God would refer to our heart as the core of our spiritual life and it is the cause of spiritual death.

In the Scripture, God tells us the condition of our heart and according to God’s Word, we ALL have heart disease! The cause of this heart problem that we all have is sin. Romans 3:23 we read, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Our hearts are so diseased that we cannot even trust ourselves. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Before the worldwide flood back in Noah’s day we learn in Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” When we understand the condition of the heart in mankind, is it any wonder that the world has so much evil? Jesus said in Mark 7:21-23 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

The Bible says we are dead in our sins unless the Holy Spirit of God awakens us to Himself. Our good deeds cannot save us. Our acts of kindness will not earn us a new heart. We are at the mercy of our Creator God. Likened to an inventor making a flashlight, in order for the flashlight to execute what it is designed to do, it needs a power source, the battery. In order for us to live in obedience to the will of God and accomplish what we were created for, we need a new heart, the Holy Spirit of God giving us the power to perform. (Ephesians 2:4-10) God through His Son Jesus Christ has given us the way to receive a new heart. With this new heart comes new life and new thinking. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

When the Holy Spirit illumines us to Himself, we are transformed.  Jesus explained it to a Pharisee named Nicodemus in the manner of being born again. He said that we cannot even comprehend the Kingdom of God unless we are spiritually new. He used the analogy of the wind. We cannot see the wind, but we see the effect it has on things. We cannot see the Holy Spirit but we see how the Lord transforms a sinner’s life. (John 3:1-17)

In Ezekiel 36:26-27 we read, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” This is a prophecy of what the Holy Spirit of God did through Jesus Christ. Written about 600 years before Jesus came and fulfilled it. What a wonderful Savior we have! He frees us from sin! He makes us NEW! Praise the Lord!

Those of us who already have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, sometimes we can get discouraged when we see the darkness and evil in the world compounding. Romans 8:37-39 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We are more than conquers! We are children of the King! We have a new heart beating royal blood through our veins. The power of God lives in us! Be reminded this Valentine season, when you see all the pretty red and pink hearts, that you contain a new heart within you. You have a brand-new battery. The majestic beauty of Christ has permeated your soul, let HIM shine!

For those of you reading this that have not received a new heart. You are terminal, but there is hope and there is life to be found in Christ alone. I urge you to click on the “Do You Know Jesus?” link located in the menu on this website. There you can learn how to receive a brand-new heart. Please contact me if you want to talk with someone.

Scriptures For Further Study:

1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51, Psalm 119:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 4:20-23, Proverbs 21:2, Proverbs 28:13-14, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Jeremiah 17:10, Matthew 5:8, Matthew 22:37, Acts 8:21-22, Romans 3:10-11, Romans 5:1-12, Colossians 1:20-22, Colossians 2:13, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 10:22

February 6, 2021

What are you afraid of?

The dark, mice, spiders, snakes, heights, needles, airplanes, public speaking, germs, disease, death. When looking up all the different kinds of fears that exist, I counted over 100 different types of fears or phobias. I noticed that fear and anxiety can lead to depression and yet another discovery I made in my internet travels was that psychotropic medication usage and sadly suicides are increasing drastically.

When we think of fear, we generally think of it in an unfavorable connotation. But fear is a God given emotion which motivates a response to a threat we perceive before us. We live in an evil, sin filled world, and we are faced with threats and concerns regularly. To have the emotion of fear can be advantageous. To fear is not sin, but our response to the fear can sometimes be sin.

God gave us the emotion of fear to help protect us. We will recognize a danger and then react to it. For instance, when our family went on vacation to the Grand Canyon, we kept a safe distance from edges of the cliffs. Not because we were afraid of heights but because we saw the danger and did not want any of us slipping and falling over the cliff. I also recall a time that the tornado siren went off in the middle of the night and my husband and I gathered the kids into the basement for safety. These are examples of healthy fears. We recognized the danger and responded responsibly.

Though fear can be for our welfare, not all fear is healthy. Sometimes our response to a fear can be more destructive than the fear itself. For example, I recall a time when our youngest child was just starting to drive on her own. She was out late one night, and I was unable to contact her on her cellphone. She was not answering due to playing a game with friends. The roads were getting icy and I wanted to warn her. When she did not answer the phone, my mind began to think the worst. I then started calling other parents and getting really upset and worried. It is easy to look back and see how I responded poorly, I wanted to fix the problem. My emotions were soaring in fear. Did I pray? Yes, but my prayer was filled with fear, not faith. I did not lay the burden down and rest in God’s sovereignty. (Isaiah 26:3) Instead, I cried out in worry. She made it home safely that night. Praise the Lord! But my reaction to the fear did affect my relationship with my daughter, she thought I overreacted. She did not see a faith-filled mother but a fearful mother. That was not the example I wanted her to witness. In Proverbs 29:25 we read that “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” My response to this fear was not a healthy one.

I have heard the phrase “Face your fears head on!” I am not sure if that’s good advice. The Bible tells us that when we fear, we are to trust in God. Psalms 56:3 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” I do not think we need to face our fears, our fears are right smack in front of us! But what we should do is look to Christ in the midst of our fears. He is our Deliverer! Psalms 34:4 “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Isaiah 41:13 “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

When fear, worry, or anxiety rises in us, they should motivate us towards God. Do not face your fears, turn from your fears and turn to God! He wants us to call upon Him in faith, knowing that He is able to save and deliver! The scriptures tell us to take action. Come unto Him, seek Him, trust Him, pray, fear not, don’t let your heart be troubled! These are the responses we are instructed to have when fear comes along. His strength is perfect in our weaknesses! (2 Corinthians 12:9) When we are living in Christ, His perfect love drives out our fears. (1 John 4:18) Don’t worry, pray! (Philippians 4:6-7)God has given us the emotion of fear to motivate us to respond appropriately. We are not to face our fears but humble ourselves before Him. Casting or throwing all our cares upon Him. Why? Because God cares for us! (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Fears should drive us to Jesus. In Hebrews 4:14-16 we read, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

From what I’ve read, throughout Jesus’s earthly ministry He never had fear. Jesus calmed storms, cast out demons, healed leprosy, and even rebuked Satan. Then the night came that His earthly ministry was ending. He made His way to the Garden of Gethsemane, He experienced great anxiety. So much so that He sweat drops of blood. (Matthew 26:36-42, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46) Jesus knew that He was born to die. His sole purpose was to take on the sin of the entire world. Justice had to be served. God’s wrath must be poured out and Jesus knew that He was the only one who could withstand God’s wrath. Did Jesus, God in the flesh, experience the emotion of fear in the garden? I don’t know but if He did, we see that He did not face His fear head on. Jesus cried out to the Father and the Father gave Him the strength to endure. Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

As fears come our way in life, those fears should motivate us towards Christ. He paved our way and gave us access to the throne. Jesus said in Revelation 1:17b-18 “Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

If you have not trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to click on the menu selection titled “Do You Know Jesus?” There you can learn how to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

Scriptures For Further Study:

Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 16:6, Proverbs 22:4, Matthew 6:21-34, Matthew 10:28-33, Romans 8:37-39, 2 Corinthians 4:6-18, 2 Timothy 3:11-12

February 3, 2021

Read 2 Timothy Chapters 3-4

Recently a friend of mine asked an interesting question to Christians I was grouped in. This sparked some stimulating comments. She asked, “How do you know that the Christian author(s) who’s books you are studying are actually teaching you biblically sound doctrine?” I thought that was a great question, a question that directed me to the Scripture.

The Bible tells us to use discernment and to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1) We are warned throughout the Bible of deception and false teachers. The Bible even says that in the latter days deception will increase. Jesus said in Matthew 24:11 when referring to the end times, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Jesus warns four times in just that one chapter about deception!

Therefore, I think it’s crucial that we make sure we are believing the right things. There seems to be an endless supply of opinions out there. I do appreciate the mass supply of Christian resources we have today. But with the abundance of information comes the greater task of rooting out the errors. We all have our school of thought and perspectives, but we are also all sinners. By nature our thoughts are faulty. (Jeremiah 17:9) We need the Word of God to renew our minds. (Romans 12:2) We need the Word of God to lead us rightly. (Psalm 23:3, 25:5, 31:3,119:133)

When I was a new Christian, one of my favorite places to go was the Christian bookstore. I could spend hours browsing through the books and music selections. I still enjoy going there. There is something special about being able to go to a Christian owned business where the central characteristics of the store are the things of God. The problem with browsing the Christian bookstore as a new Christian was that I assumed that every book in the store was a “Christian” book. I didn’t take the time to research the authors. I was gullible. I needed to be discipled. I ended up reading books, that as I look back on them today, were clearly heretical. But praise the Lord! He did what He said He would do and led me into truth. (John 16:13) The more I read the Bible the more I recognized error in some of the Christian books. In John 17:17 Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The Apostle Paul discipled young Timothy and though Timothy had a quality upbringing, he still needed direction. (Titus 2:1-2) In 2 Timothy chapters 3 and 4, Paul is admonishing Timothy. He told him that perilous times are coming. Iniquity is going to abound in this world. Paul said that “…evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13) He exhorted Timothy to stay in the Scripture and be ready. Be ready to preach, reprove, rebuke, and exhort at all times. (2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:2) Paul knew things would get worse and he emphasized the importance of staying in the Scriptures, Paul wanted to make sure Timothy was prepared.

Then Paul used an interesting analogy to explain our natural tendency as sinners. He said that people would have itching ears. He said that folks would not endure or bear sound teachings. We do tend to avoid scrutiny and are prone to gravitate to people that tell us what we want to hear and make us feel good. The truth is not always easy to hear. Paul was saying that in order to accommodate their selfish desires they would heap up teachers that would tell them lies. Teachers that make them feel good. Have you ever had an itchy ear? I don’t know about you, but for me, it sure does feel good to scratch an itch!  Paul said that men would have their itches scratched by heaping up false teachers. Notice he didn’t say gather a little bit or gradually accumulate a little at a time, Paul said, heap which means an abundance, or a considerable amount. (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Jesus said that many would call Him Lord but not many would enter into life eternal. (Matthew 7:13-23)

So, returning to the question my friend asked… “How do you know that the Christian author(s) who’s books you are studying are actually teaching you biblically sound doctrine?” The best answer I could think of was, “Read the Bible, read the Bible, read the Bible!” There is a heap of Christian book authors out there, not all of them are false teachers. But for us to distinguish between the true and the false, we must know God’s Word. Instead of looking to get our ears scratched, let us look to fill our ears with truth. Listen.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto churches.” ~Jesus Christ

Scriptures For Further Study:

Deuteronomy 13:1-11, Deuteronomy 18:18-22, Jeremiah 5:25-31, Jeremiah 14:13-15, Jeremiah 23:9-40, Jeremiah 28:15-17, Micah 3:5-6, Matthew 7, Matthew 15:9, John 10:1-16, Acts 17:10-11, Acts 20:27-32, Romans 16:17-18, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Galatians 1:6-12, Ephesians 4:14-15, Ephesians 5:6-11, Colossians 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-23, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Timothy 2:15-16, Titus 1:10-16, Hebrews 13:8-9, James 3:1, 2 Peter 2:1-22, 1 John 2:15-27, 2 John 7, Jude 3-4, Revelation 12:9-12

January 30, 2021

Read Psalm 34

To magnify means to make something larger. A magnifying glass comes from the word “magnify”. We use a magnifying glass to help us see things closer or to get a better view. When we look at each other with a magnifying glass and get a closeup view of ourselves, we are able to get a better look and can see our imperfections. Ha! I know for myself, I am not a fan of closeup pictures. When I put my face closer in the mirror, I get a better view of all the blackheads and wrinkles. Ugh.

What do we see when we magnify the Lord?

Psalm 34:3 reads “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

Contrary to what we see when we magnify or get a closeup shot of ourselves… When we magnify the LORD, we are magnifying perfection. Think about that. Magnifying perfection! Getting a closeup shot of His perfect, flawless beauty! His holiness! His glory! Wow, what a magnificent mighty God!

The nearer we are to our LORD, the more beautiful He becomes in our eyes. In Psalms 34:5 we read, “They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.” As the moon reflects the sun’s light and glows in the darkness of night, we with our gazes fixed upon the Lord, reflect His glory. His beauty shines in and through us. Oh, how this dark world needs to see the Light of Christ shining through us!

In verse 4 we read, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.”

God delivers us from our fears. He gives us power and ability, love and concern for others, sound, disciplined thinking. (2 Timothy 1:7) When we draw near to the Lord and obtain a better view of HIM, our fears of this dark world will fade.

Verse 8 says, “O taste and see, that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”

Have you tasted? Have you seen? David encouraged others to magnify the Lord with him, to taste, to see, and to trust in God.

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sings a song titled “Psalm 34”. I’ve put the link of this performance with this blog. After meditating through Psalm 34, I watched this video and the Holy Spirit enriched my heart in worship. May you be encouraged today! Will you magnify the Lord with me? Let us exalt His name together! Taste, see, and discover His perfect beauty!❤️🎶

Scriptures For Further Study:

Exodus 33 & 34, 1 Chronicles 17:24, Psalm 119:103, Psalm 56:4, Psalm 56:11, Psalm 69:30, Luke 1:46-55, John 1:14

January 26, 2021

Read Psalm 27

In the book of 1^st Samuel we learn of David. God had Samuel, His prophet, anoint David as the new king of Israel. But the current king, Saul, did not want to give up his position. He wanted to kill David. David was on the run from King Saul during this time of his life when he wrote Psalm 27. In the midst of David’s fear and with no place to dwell, he remembered the Lord. He recalled who the Lord is. He proclaimed his confidence in God. His Light, His Salvation. His Strength. David knew that the only one he could count on was God. The God who delivered him from the mouths of lions and bears as a shepherd boy. The God who delivered him from Goliath the mighty giant. The God who had chosen him and anointed him to be the next King of Israel. His one true God had been faithful, and he knew that his God would see him through to accomplish the purposes God placed upon his life.

In spite of the circumstances and the uncertainties that David was facing, his main focus and desire was intimacy with God. David said, “One thing have I desired of the Lord”. “One thing”. David wanted to dwell in the house of the Lord, to behold His beauty, inquire in His temple. David’s one desire was the presence of God. God remained first. David did not focus on his fears. In fact, David sang praises and cried out to God in the thick of his turmoil.

David’s focus was not what God could do for him. Even though he was on the run for his life and had plenty of prayer requests, he did not dwell on his predicament by just seeking the hand of God to change his situation. David wanted to dwell in God’s presence, and he knew in order to behold the beauty of the Lord, he must seek God’s face.

Are you in the midst of troubles and trials?

Is your prayer request list a mile long?

Where is your focus?

Is your focus on God’s hand or God’s face? 

Is your first (one) desire to dwell in God’s presence?

Amid the difficulties David was facing, he instructed his heart to seek God’s face. In verse 8 of Psalm 27 we read, ”When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”

I encourage you today to instruct your heart to seek the face of God, your current circumstances do not hinder God’s purpose for your life and remember that when this life comes to an end, only “One Thing” really matters.

Scriptures for Further Study:

Deuteronomy 4:29-30, 1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Chronicles 22:19, 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, Job 5:8-9, Psalm 9:10, Psalm 14:1-2, Psalm 40:16, Psalm 105:1-4, Psalm 119:1-11, Proverbs 8:17, Isaiah 55:6-9, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Lamentations 3:22-26, Amos 5:4, Zephaniah 2:1-3, Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Acts 13:20-23, Acts 17:24-31, Colossians 3:1-2, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:6-10